REAL-LIFE ghostbusters have paid a visit to a haunted Flintshire pub to try and uncover the secrets of its past.

The Black Lion in Babell dates back to the 13th century and like many ancient coaching inns it is steeped in history and stories of ghosts.

Jane Forking-Russell has owned and run the pub for the past five years and says there have been a number of spooky goings on since she took it over.

On Tuesday night Jane welcomed a team of paranormal investigators to the pub to see what they could find.

Jane described the findings of the investigation as ‘interesting’ and says she will be carrying out more research to try to prove or disprove what the investigation team told her.

“For me this was always about information and the team were able to tell me more about two separate entities in the pub. I hope I can find out more information about them.”

She told the Chronicle: “There have been lots of tales over the years including a ghostly face appearing in an iron mask, mysterious knocks and shouts at the door.

“There is one story from years ago about a man coming home from working abroad and meeting friends in the pub for a catch up. He saw a face appear in an iron mask above the bar and at the same time his glass shattered.”

More recently Jane has had her own strange experiences in the pub.

She said: “About three months ago I went to the pub early one morning while it was still closed to tidy up. I was putting things in the dishwasher and I felt two fingers poking me in the small of my back.

“At first I thought a colleague who lives in the pub had done it but there was no-one there, the building was empty. I have absolutely no explanation.”

Jane said there had been other unexplained events, such as the volume of the CD players in the bar and restaurant suddenly being turned up very loud. She also said that staff had reported things being moved.

She added: “One said that when they came into work the wall clock was in the same place in the middle of the floor for three or four mornings on the trot. If it had fallen the glass would have smashed.”

Despite the strange goings-on, Jane said she isn’t concerned.

“I don’t feel scared,” she said. “But the pub can be quite eerie at night during the winter as we are in such a rural location.

“The pub is old and has a lot of nooks and crannies, if you aren’t careful your imagination can run away with you.”